Design 101: The 8 graphic design basics you need to know

The principles of graphic design are like building blocks. Each one layers on top of the other until you’re left with the foundation for creating something incredible—whether you’re designing a logo, a website, or a custom illustration. If you want the lowdown on all the graphic design basics, you’ve come to the right place because we’re going to cover them all.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know to make all of your designs rock:

What about space on the printed page? We’ve got everything you need to know about the elements of design in printmaking—including how to work with space.

Balance and alignment
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All of the elements in this poster are properly balanced—which adds to the overall effect of the design. Poster design by Shwin.

When it comes to design, you can definitely be creative, but you also have to be balanced. Think of it like this: if you were decorating your living room, you wouldn’t try to squeeze the sofa, the recliner chair, the coffee table, and the end tables all into a tiny corner, right? No, you’d spread the pieces throughout the room to create balance and alignment. With graphic design, it’s exactly the same.

Hierarchy is how you present the elements on your design (whether it’s a brochure, a website or a business card). This directs viewers to where they should focus their attention. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the design element, the more attention-grabbing it will be.

For example, a design that’s all rounded edges will send a very different message than a design that embraces sharp lines. Understanding the meaning of lines and shapes is crucial for creating designs that are in-line with your brand, vision and messaging.

Your logo is the face of your brand. And the shapes you incorporate into your logo will determine your audience perceives you. In this article, you’ll learn the different meanings behind logo shapes and how to make sure you put your best face forward when creating your own logo.

If you want to use color to your advantage, you need to understand how each color affects your audience. Learn more about the psychology of color, the deeper meaning behind each hue, and how to best use color to your advantage.

Different colors drive different results. When you’re choosing colors for your brand color palette, you need to be sure the colors you choose are going to drive the results you want. Get the skinny on choosing the best colors for your brand in this article.

Without a doubt, one of your most important brand assets is your website. And one of the most important aspects of your web design is color. Discover how to leverage color psychology to choose the best colors for your website.

Your business cards are meant to leave a great first impression with people. Choose the right colors, and they definitely will.

Typography
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The words you use in your designs are important, but so are the fonts you use to communicate those words.

Typography covers everything from font selection to font layout. Not only does it communicate your core message, but it also communicates a lot about who you are and what you’re about. That’s why it’s important to get it right.

Whether you add an actual 3D element to a printed piece like a business card or create the illusion through design, texture makes your designs even more memorable. But it’s a tricky thing to get right. If you don’t nail the texture, your design may feel busy or overwhelming—and that’s never what you’re going for.

How do you nail texture in graphic design and use it to add the right amount of depth? Discover the three different types of texture, how they work, and when to use them.

Branding
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Branding is how you bring your business, products, services and story to life. How do you do that? By leveraging all of the graphic design basics we’ve covered in this guide to build a brand that feels true to who you are.

Branding starts with strategy. If you want to build a brand that tells your story and connects with your audience, you need to plan ahead. In this piece, you’ll learn exactly how to develop a winning strategy for your brand.

Believe it or not, these are not the same thing. Discover the difference between branding, brand identity and logo design.

There’s nothing “basic” about great design.
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Well, that’s it! Now you’ve got all the resources you need to understand the basics of graphic design. With this solid foundation, all that’s left to do is get out there and use them to build incredible designs that make your brand shine.

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The author

Deanna deBara is a freelance writer at 99designs. When she's not furiously typing away at her laptop and geeking out on all things design related, you'll likely find her geeking out on all things Harry Potter, finding her Zen through meditation or training for her next ill-advised athletic endeavor.